CHOOSING YOUR OPTIONS Yr 9
Choosing your options in Year 9 is one of the first chances you have to decide what YOU want to do with your life. Quite a big deal, eh? Well, by choosing the subjects you will be studying for the next two years, you get the chance to tailor your school timetable to suit your strengths and ambitions. And if you don’t know what you want do with your life yet, don’t worry, you will have plenty of time to change your mind and try lots of other options later; just get loads of advice and choose the best you can. But don’t get too excited about ditching all the subjects you don’t get on with – there are still some core subjects you have to keep in your timetable next year. This is because these are the sorts of general subjects that are highly rated by future employers.
When choosing what subjects to study in Years 10 and 11, think what you enjoy most and do well at. If you have a particular career in mind, it’s worth finding out if there are particular subjects you need to take. However, it’s also a good idea to keep your options open by choosing a wide range of subjects.
WHAT’S COMPULSORY?
Some subjects are compulsory because they cover essential knowledge and skills that everyone needs for the future.
The subjects you’ll have to take exams in are: l English l Maths l Science
There are some other subjects that you have to study, but may not lead to exams:
l Careers education l Citizenship l ICT l Religious studies
l Work-related learning l PE
Some schools have other compulsory subjects – check with your teachers.
Your school will offer you choices for the rest of your timetable and may offer courses in:
l Humanities: for example, Geography, History or Sociology l Creative subjects: Art, Design & Technology or Drama l Modern foreign languages or other languages
Other work-related options may be available at your school or as part of the Newham Borough-Wide Course Programme offer.
You could be studying towards a vocational qualification such as a City & Guilds and may have the option to study courses related to different employment sectors including:
l Construction l Engineering l Retail l Hair & Beauty l Hospitality ... and more!
GET THE BALANCE RIGHT
Once you’ve found out which options are available at your school, it’s time to find a balance of subjects and qualifications that’s right for you.
Remember that it’s a good idea to keep your options open by choosing a wide range of subjects. But you’ll also need to make sure that you can fit everything into your timetable - and that you’ve considered whether there are any subjects that will be especially useful for your future plans.
Your teachers, parents/carers and careers co-ordinator and careers advisers will be able to give you advice on getting the balance right.
4 USEFUL WEBSITES
Direct.gov/14-19 UCAS Progress Newham Sussed Next Step
Or call a careers adviser on 0800 100 900 4 l Sex and relationship education
Choosing your options is one of the first chances you have to decide what YOU want to do...
ASKING THE RIGHT QUESTIONS Need help deciding what to choose? Sit down and ask yourself the following questions:
l Do I have any skills, talents or gifts?
l What subjects am I good at? What subjects will I never get my head around?
l What careers am I interested in? Do I need to choose specific subjects to get into these careers?
Then do some research and have a talk to your subject teachers and find out what the courses actually involve.
l How are the courses assessed – is it mostly exam based or is it largely coursework?
l How does that fit in with the way you like to work?
l Don’t forget to go along to your options open evening, where you can find out more.
l What you’re interested in: it could be other cultures and languages, writing projects, helping people, being outdoors or designing things
l What types of activity you enjoy most – working things out and thinking them through, practical activities or artistic options.
l Try to create balance in your subjects
l Choose subjects that interest you
l Do your research and find out what you will be studying in each of your subjects
l Don’t panic! You can always take other subjects later
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